Ps. 27:4-5 I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live in His house my whole life long. I'll contemplate His beauty; I'll study at His feet. That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world. The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic. (MSG)
What would be your perfect getaway? A secluded cabin in the mountains? A sunny beach on a tropical island? Generally speaking, it's a place we would visit for a day or maybe a week to rest and relax. To escape the stress, the noise and the distractions of our usual daily lives.
David, in these verses, describes his perfect getaway. Living (dwelling) in the house of the Lord every day of his life. That is to say, having constant communion with Him. Notice that David doesn't want to just visit God's house, he wants to live there. It is so much the desire of his heart that he explains it as the one and only thing he asks of God. He longs for the opportunity to just enjoy and consider fully and deeply God's beauty, loveliness, splendor and grace. He seeks God's instruction.
Mary found that same perfect getaway. That same "one thing" David talks about. Jesus describes it as "the one thing needful" (Lk. 10:42). She, not being distracted as was her sister Martha, sat at His feet and heard His word. There she was, contemplating His beauty and studying at His feet. She was experiencing the perfect getaway!
What we truly desire is what we will diligently seek. Do our hearts truly desire the "one thing"? Do we look and long for opportunities to spend time with Him enjoying His beauty and to be taught by Him? Do we desire a place of His presence and a communion with Him above all else both now (here on earth) and forever (in heaven)? Not only can we visit such a place, we can live there! David found it. Mary found it. We can find it, too. The perfect getaway.
Sock Monkey Snippet: What we truly desire is what we will diligently seek.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
If You Can
Mk. 9:23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
Imagine the disappointment of the father who brought his mute-spirited son to the disciples expecting a miracle without receiving it. He explained to Jesus that this condition had been with his son since childhood and this last failed attempt by the disciples to cast out the spirit surely left him without much hope. He said to Jesus, "If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." Essentially, what he was saying to Jesus was, "If You have power, then You'll see my faith." Disappointment leads to doubt. It causes us to really wonder 'if'.
Jesus' response included those same three words. If you can. "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." In other words, "If you have faith, then you'll see My power." Do you see that power was never the issue for Jesus? Faith was.
I like the Message Bible translation of this verse.
Mk. 9:23 Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen."
Disappointment can cause us to question our faith., to even question the power and ability of God. But we must not lose faith. We must not doubt God by asking if He can when He already tells us, "If you can...".
Sock Monkey Snippet: There are no 'ifs' among believers.
Imagine the disappointment of the father who brought his mute-spirited son to the disciples expecting a miracle without receiving it. He explained to Jesus that this condition had been with his son since childhood and this last failed attempt by the disciples to cast out the spirit surely left him without much hope. He said to Jesus, "If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." Essentially, what he was saying to Jesus was, "If You have power, then You'll see my faith." Disappointment leads to doubt. It causes us to really wonder 'if'.
Jesus' response included those same three words. If you can. "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." In other words, "If you have faith, then you'll see My power." Do you see that power was never the issue for Jesus? Faith was.
I like the Message Bible translation of this verse.
Mk. 9:23 Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen."
Disappointment can cause us to question our faith., to even question the power and ability of God. But we must not lose faith. We must not doubt God by asking if He can when He already tells us, "If you can...".
Sock Monkey Snippet: There are no 'ifs' among believers.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Amazing Idiots
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
Peter and John were brought before the rulers, elders and scribes (and a few others) to explain by what name, by what power or authority they were able to heal a lame man. The scribes were educated men who would easily be able to dispute or disprove a flawed explanation. The rulers and elders were powerful men who, should the scribes fail, would easily be able to use their influence to dissuade others. Certainly, Peter and John would be no match for them.
But what they got from Peter and John was totally unexpected. They understood that these two were uneducated and untrained. One translation says unlearned (illiterate) and ignorant men (literally, idiots). Another simply describes them as ordinary men. And yet everyone saw their boldness. They had assurance, confidence, clarity and spoke (filled with the Holy Spirit) convincingly while providing irrefutable evidence. The rulers, elders and scribes were left speechless (v.14). In fact, they marveled. These were two amazing idiots!
Then they all remembered that these were two of the guys who had been with Jesus. They communed with Him. They learned from Him. And now Peter and John were able to stand boldly before the most educated and powerful men who stood against Him.
At times in our lives, we will also be given opportunities to explain by what name, by what power or authority we say what we say and do what we do. And when that happens, I pray others will see the same Holy Spirit boldness in us and realize that we have a communion, a relationship with Jesus. We don't need to be highly educated or highly ranked. God puts extraordinary boldness in ordinary people. We can be some pretty amazing idiots!
Sock Monkey Snippet: God puts extraordinary boldness in ordinary people.
Peter and John were brought before the rulers, elders and scribes (and a few others) to explain by what name, by what power or authority they were able to heal a lame man. The scribes were educated men who would easily be able to dispute or disprove a flawed explanation. The rulers and elders were powerful men who, should the scribes fail, would easily be able to use their influence to dissuade others. Certainly, Peter and John would be no match for them.
But what they got from Peter and John was totally unexpected. They understood that these two were uneducated and untrained. One translation says unlearned (illiterate) and ignorant men (literally, idiots). Another simply describes them as ordinary men. And yet everyone saw their boldness. They had assurance, confidence, clarity and spoke (filled with the Holy Spirit) convincingly while providing irrefutable evidence. The rulers, elders and scribes were left speechless (v.14). In fact, they marveled. These were two amazing idiots! Then they all remembered that these were two of the guys who had been with Jesus. They communed with Him. They learned from Him. And now Peter and John were able to stand boldly before the most educated and powerful men who stood against Him.
At times in our lives, we will also be given opportunities to explain by what name, by what power or authority we say what we say and do what we do. And when that happens, I pray others will see the same Holy Spirit boldness in us and realize that we have a communion, a relationship with Jesus. We don't need to be highly educated or highly ranked. God puts extraordinary boldness in ordinary people. We can be some pretty amazing idiots!
Sock Monkey Snippet: God puts extraordinary boldness in ordinary people.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
A Gentle Reminder
Phil. 4:11 ...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.
I was recently watching a television show involving people who lived in expensive, extravagant homes and each had spent in excess of $100,000.00 designing and decorating entertainment rooms within them. I must confess, after watching these people for a while, I found myself thinking, "Why couldn't that be me? Why shouldn't it be? Why couldn't my life be that good, that way?" For the first time during this particular day, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me, by bringing this verse to mind, to be content.
A short time later, as I sat at the kitchen table, I rested my head in my arms. It was one of those brief and passing moments when I was feeling old. Anybody else ever have those? I found myself thinking, "You really are getting old!" For the second time, another gentle reminder to be content.
Within an hour or so of my kitchen experience, I logged on to Twitter and happened across the tweet of an individual who was requesting prayer for their one year old baby who was battling cancer and in need of surgery. This time, I found myself thinking how fortunate and blessed I am with two healthy children. For the third and unquestionably most profound (and sobering) time, a gentle reminder to be content.
Our contentment can be affected by how we look at our situation if we allow it. Are we looking at what we have or only at what we don't? Are we looking at what is truly important or what really isn't? The fact is our situation, our circumstances, our "state" in this life will never be perfect. To us, it will always be somewhere between could be better and could be worse.
Through the course of our lives, we are all in uniquely different places. Whether rich or poor, young or old, healthy or sick, in whatever state we are, we need to learn, as did Paul, to be content in God independent of our circumstances. May the Holy Spirit always be there to give us a gentle reminder.
Sock Monkey Snippet: Be content independent of your circumstances.
I was recently watching a television show involving people who lived in expensive, extravagant homes and each had spent in excess of $100,000.00 designing and decorating entertainment rooms within them. I must confess, after watching these people for a while, I found myself thinking, "Why couldn't that be me? Why shouldn't it be? Why couldn't my life be that good, that way?" For the first time during this particular day, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me, by bringing this verse to mind, to be content.
A short time later, as I sat at the kitchen table, I rested my head in my arms. It was one of those brief and passing moments when I was feeling old. Anybody else ever have those? I found myself thinking, "You really are getting old!" For the second time, another gentle reminder to be content.
Within an hour or so of my kitchen experience, I logged on to Twitter and happened across the tweet of an individual who was requesting prayer for their one year old baby who was battling cancer and in need of surgery. This time, I found myself thinking how fortunate and blessed I am with two healthy children. For the third and unquestionably most profound (and sobering) time, a gentle reminder to be content.
Our contentment can be affected by how we look at our situation if we allow it. Are we looking at what we have or only at what we don't? Are we looking at what is truly important or what really isn't? The fact is our situation, our circumstances, our "state" in this life will never be perfect. To us, it will always be somewhere between could be better and could be worse.
Through the course of our lives, we are all in uniquely different places. Whether rich or poor, young or old, healthy or sick, in whatever state we are, we need to learn, as did Paul, to be content in God independent of our circumstances. May the Holy Spirit always be there to give us a gentle reminder.
Sock Monkey Snippet: Be content independent of your circumstances.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
An Effective Gift
Prov. 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
In ancient times, it was naive to think that you could make your way and stand before the king without first presenting him with a gift, an offering that you had prepared. An effective gift got you noticed. It was your gift that opened the way, "made room" and created an opportunity for you to stand before a great man.
What gift do you have? What offering do you bring? What unique, special ability or talent has God given you to steward, to prepare, develop and present to others? Your gift was planted in you to serve a specific purpose and to fill a particular need. It will make a way for you. It will create opportunities for you. And in God's perfect timing, it will get you noticed by exactly the right people, the "great men", who need what only you have. God has given each one of us a purpose-serving, need-filling, way-making, opportunity-creating and effective gift!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Your offering will create your opportunity.
In ancient times, it was naive to think that you could make your way and stand before the king without first presenting him with a gift, an offering that you had prepared. An effective gift got you noticed. It was your gift that opened the way, "made room" and created an opportunity for you to stand before a great man.
What gift do you have? What offering do you bring? What unique, special ability or talent has God given you to steward, to prepare, develop and present to others? Your gift was planted in you to serve a specific purpose and to fill a particular need. It will make a way for you. It will create opportunities for you. And in God's perfect timing, it will get you noticed by exactly the right people, the "great men", who need what only you have. God has given each one of us a purpose-serving, need-filling, way-making, opportunity-creating and effective gift!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Your offering will create your opportunity.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Built To Last
Prov. 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. (NIV)
We all appreciate products that are built to last. Ones that endure repeated, often times heavy use and don't fall apart. They certainly tell us a lot about the quality and commitment of the companies who make them.
The dictionary defines wisdom as the knowledge of what is true or right coupled with proper judgment as to the action to be taken. In other words, wisdom is knowledge given appropriate action. Note that both components, knowledge and action are necessary. Knowledge without action is of no use. Action without knowledge is foolish and dangerous.
This chapter of Proverbs equates wisdom to strength (Prov. 24:5). A wise man is a strong man who is able to endure or withstand trials and afflictions. Why? Because he has an understanding or knowledge of the truth of God's Word and acts on it appropriately and accordingly.
Is it any wonder that Solomon valued it more than anything else? Is it any wonder that James (1:5) instructs us to ask God for it? Through wisdom we have overcoming strength. Strength to endure repeated, often times heavy trials and afflictions without falling apart as Christians. And in that strength, we and others can tell a lot about our Creator. By Him, we were built to last!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Through wisdom we have overcoming strength.
We all appreciate products that are built to last. Ones that endure repeated, often times heavy use and don't fall apart. They certainly tell us a lot about the quality and commitment of the companies who make them.
The dictionary defines wisdom as the knowledge of what is true or right coupled with proper judgment as to the action to be taken. In other words, wisdom is knowledge given appropriate action. Note that both components, knowledge and action are necessary. Knowledge without action is of no use. Action without knowledge is foolish and dangerous.
This chapter of Proverbs equates wisdom to strength (Prov. 24:5). A wise man is a strong man who is able to endure or withstand trials and afflictions. Why? Because he has an understanding or knowledge of the truth of God's Word and acts on it appropriately and accordingly.
Is it any wonder that Solomon valued it more than anything else? Is it any wonder that James (1:5) instructs us to ask God for it? Through wisdom we have overcoming strength. Strength to endure repeated, often times heavy trials and afflictions without falling apart as Christians. And in that strength, we and others can tell a lot about our Creator. By Him, we were built to last!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Through wisdom we have overcoming strength.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Because of Me
Gal. 1:24 And because of me, they praised (gave glory to) God. (CEV)
No greater change occurred in the life of any individual more than in the life of Paul. The one who formerly persecuted the early church now preached the faith which he once tried to destroy (Gal. 1:23). The persecutor had become the preacher. The adversary had become the apostle. As a result, the unmistakable, transforming power of God that was evident in his life caused others to praise and glorify God.
Every one of us has been forever changed by God. And the changes were intended to result in not only us giving Him praise and glory but others as well because of how we now live. Glorifying God should be the desire of our hearts just as it was the desire of Jesus' heart (Jn. 12:28, 17:4). Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be the glory).
May others see God as the author and source of what they see in my life. May they see a true and sincere Christian whose life was unmistakably changed by Him and for Him. May others praise and glorify God because of me!
Sock Monkey Snippet: May others glorify God because of me.
No greater change occurred in the life of any individual more than in the life of Paul. The one who formerly persecuted the early church now preached the faith which he once tried to destroy (Gal. 1:23). The persecutor had become the preacher. The adversary had become the apostle. As a result, the unmistakable, transforming power of God that was evident in his life caused others to praise and glorify God.
Every one of us has been forever changed by God. And the changes were intended to result in not only us giving Him praise and glory but others as well because of how we now live. Glorifying God should be the desire of our hearts just as it was the desire of Jesus' heart (Jn. 12:28, 17:4). Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be the glory).
May others see God as the author and source of what they see in my life. May they see a true and sincere Christian whose life was unmistakably changed by Him and for Him. May others praise and glorify God because of me!
Sock Monkey Snippet: May others glorify God because of me.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Our Daily Bread
Mt. 6:11 "Give us this day our daily bread."
The children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron. Brought out of the bondage of Egypt, they found themselves traveling through the wilderness hungry and wanting for food. And God provided it in an unconventional way. In fact, when the bread (manna) rained down from heaven, the Israelites asked each other, "What is it?" because they had never seen anything like it before. They didn't recognize the supernatural daily provision only God could supply.
God supplies bread to meet our daily needs, too. He provides nourishment to satisfy and sustain us.
The same God who cares for the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field (Mt. 6:33) cares for us and meets our physical needs. But in addition to meeting our physical needs, He meets our spiritual needs, too.
Jesus described Himself as "the bread of life" (Jn. 6:35) which came down from heaven. Only He satisfies the spiritual hunger and wanting in us. He is an endless, inexhaustible supply of life-giving, life-sustaining bread that we enjoy and experience daily through our communion with Him.
May we always recognize God's supernatural nourishment raining down from heaven into our lives, both physically and spiritually. He supplies all our need according to His riches in glory because of what Jesus did for us (Phil. 4:19). He will give us this day, and every day, our daily bread!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Thank God for providing our daily bread.
The children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron. Brought out of the bondage of Egypt, they found themselves traveling through the wilderness hungry and wanting for food. And God provided it in an unconventional way. In fact, when the bread (manna) rained down from heaven, the Israelites asked each other, "What is it?" because they had never seen anything like it before. They didn't recognize the supernatural daily provision only God could supply.
God supplies bread to meet our daily needs, too. He provides nourishment to satisfy and sustain us.
The same God who cares for the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field (Mt. 6:33) cares for us and meets our physical needs. But in addition to meeting our physical needs, He meets our spiritual needs, too.
Jesus described Himself as "the bread of life" (Jn. 6:35) which came down from heaven. Only He satisfies the spiritual hunger and wanting in us. He is an endless, inexhaustible supply of life-giving, life-sustaining bread that we enjoy and experience daily through our communion with Him.
May we always recognize God's supernatural nourishment raining down from heaven into our lives, both physically and spiritually. He supplies all our need according to His riches in glory because of what Jesus did for us (Phil. 4:19). He will give us this day, and every day, our daily bread!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Thank God for providing our daily bread.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Strength of the Vine
Jn. 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing."
Recently, while trimming brush along the tree line in our backyard, I encountered a grape vine that had entwined itself among the growth. As I began removing it, or at least attempting to remove it, I was amazed at how strong it was when I tugged on it.
Reading this passage in the gospel of John about the vine and the branches, I've always understood that the Vine, Jesus Christ, is the source of life and only by being connected can we, the branches, have life and produce fruit. And certainly that's true. But, also, by being connected, we have access to the incredible strength of the Vine. Abiding in Him enables His strength to manifest itself in and through us. There is not only life in the Vine, there is strength (Phil. 4:13) in it, too. Without that empowering and overcoming strength, we can do nothing.
The beauty of His strength is that the weaker we are, the more it is "made perfect" (2 Cor. 12:9). His miracle working power matures and is at it's strongest in our weakest moments.
When we are tired and worn out by the constant tugging of life's trials and afflictions, by virtue of our connection to Christ we can always rely on and draw from the strength of the Vine!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Our source of life is also our source of strength.
Recently, while trimming brush along the tree line in our backyard, I encountered a grape vine that had entwined itself among the growth. As I began removing it, or at least attempting to remove it, I was amazed at how strong it was when I tugged on it.
Reading this passage in the gospel of John about the vine and the branches, I've always understood that the Vine, Jesus Christ, is the source of life and only by being connected can we, the branches, have life and produce fruit. And certainly that's true. But, also, by being connected, we have access to the incredible strength of the Vine. Abiding in Him enables His strength to manifest itself in and through us. There is not only life in the Vine, there is strength (Phil. 4:13) in it, too. Without that empowering and overcoming strength, we can do nothing.The beauty of His strength is that the weaker we are, the more it is "made perfect" (2 Cor. 12:9). His miracle working power matures and is at it's strongest in our weakest moments.
When we are tired and worn out by the constant tugging of life's trials and afflictions, by virtue of our connection to Christ we can always rely on and draw from the strength of the Vine!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Our source of life is also our source of strength.
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